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Knights Templar History

Knights Templar symbols

When speaking about Templar symbols one must distinguish between the symbols used by the Knights Templar order, as a means of identifying itself and its property, and the symbols used by the Templars for various other reasons. This other category includes numerous symbols, some of which were very common in the Middle Ages, so there is nothing unusual in the fact that the Knights used them. In modern Templar myths you can find all sorts of symbols attributed to the Templars. I will only discuss symbols (some of them, of course) for which there is archaeological or manuscript evidence.

The following symbols were used by the Knights Templar as a means of asserting their identity. Sometimes they were combined in a single image (e.g. the cross on a banner)

Beauseant banner

This black and white flag, perhaps signifying the strife between good and evil, was probably the most important symbol for each individual Knight Templar. According to the statutes of the Order, knights were supposed to always be aware of the flag’s location on the battle field. Whenever the knights would become scattered and disoriented they were supposed to gather in a formation under Beauseant. If the Templar banner was not visible, the knights headed towards the Hospitaller flag or, lacking one, to any other Christian standard on the battle field.

Templar Knights Banner by Marto of Toledo, Spain (Double faced)
Knights Templar Banner
Two knights on one horse

This famous image of two Templars riding one horse signifies the vow of poverty. The symbol is found on many Knights Templar seals.


Modern reproduction of a Templar Seal Ring
by Marto of Toledo, Spain
Red cross

The red cross symbolized martyrdom. It could be seen on the Knights’ Templar garb. This symbol is distinctly different from the White Cross of Hospitallers (who eventually adopted the red cross) and the black cross of the Teutonic Order.

Temple Dome

There are various theories regarding the identity of the dome seen on many templar seals. It may be the Dome on the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or simply a representation of the original Temple of Solomon.

3 comments… add one

  • J j tuaengata

    To who ever,ihave in my posession a meddalion that has bing in my famely for years and years.
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    • KTV

      Is the medallion somehow related to the Knights Templar?

  • Curtis W. Miles

    I recently had a conversation with a Gentleman, after he asked about my Masonic ring. He told me that his father had always kept Templar related items in his safe. Upon his Fathers death, the family had decided to distribute his belongings among the relatives, but upon opening his safe, all of the items were gone. He told me that his father was always very private about his friendship with a group of men and that he often wondered if they had somehow taken his fathers items. I just thought it was kind of an intriguing story and made me wonder about the idea of the Templars still existing as they did before.

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